Pinnick: I Will Get Chelsea’s Abraham, Liverpool’s Ejaria To Play For Nigeria

President of Nigeria Football Federation, Amaju Pinnick, has expressed firm optimism that some young players playing for English youth sides will soon don Nigerian jersey.

Pinnick told the media in Abuja that it had always been the dream of the present NFF board to build a young Super Eagles team that will go on to conquer the world by 2022, adding that they are monitoring several Nigerian players making waves in the various leagues of Europe

"The initial plan was to take our players in the various clubs but now what are trying to do is what we call VIP scouting – talking to these young players that are playing abroad to play for their father land. Tyrone Ebuehi did not say he won't play for Nigeria, but his agent want him to settle down in his new club first,"

"If you talk about Tammy Abraham, he is like my son, his father and I grew up in the same neighborhood. so when they talk about him, I just laugh because I know what to do. As for Ovie Ejaria, I talk with the father often, he just called me recently. These are people we have met and they are all excited about Nigeria," Pinnick quipped.

He continued: " I am yet to see a Nigerian that is regretting being a Nigerian. No Nigerian, even if they have four or five passports, they are always excited being Nigerians. I can assure you that we shall get them to play for us at appropriate time."

Tammy Abraham, full name Kevin Oghenetega Tamaraebi Bakumo Abraham is a Chelsea FC player on loan to Bristol and has been capped by England at Under-18 level. He is referred to as an English born. Ovie Ejaria was recently capped by England Under-20 team after playing at the Unde-18 for them. He had also broken into Liverpool's senior team and made his league debut in the 6-1 drubbing of Ighalo's Watford.